Posted on 02/11/2005 7:36:29 PM PST by NCjim
When it comes to movies, give me an adorable dog, a flawed father, a motherless girl-child with a heart the size of Disney World — toss in an eccentric dowager librarian and a Magical Negro (to borrow the term popularized by Spike Lee), not to mention Dave Matthews — and for two hours I'm all yours.
Especially if I'm 7 years old.
So goes the cast of characters in a new movie due for release Feb. 18 — "Because of Winn-Dixie" — that parents can take their children to without cringing. It's a sweet tale, full of humor 'n' tissue moments, about love, loss, friendship, family and redemption, all tossed with a smattering of gentle didacticism (we are all sinners; judge people by their fruits, not their roots).
There's nothing not to like about the film, which is aimed at second- through fifth-graders, and I welled up on cue at a recent screening. I'm a confessed sucker for flawed human hearts and winning dogs. Did I mention Dave Matthews? Parents will be grateful someone still makes movies like this.
Nevertheless, I come not to praise Winn-Dixie, but to note a certain cultural shift taking place under the discreet directorship of unassuming billionaire Philip Anschutz — invariably appearing in print as "Christian billionaire Phil Anschutz" — whose Walden Media co-produced "Winn-Dixie" with Twentieth Century Fox.
In a quick sidebar, have you noticed that Christians, like SUVs, are often identified these days? If an SUV is involved in an accident, the headline often mentions the make of the auto, the subtext being: Wouldn't you know it!? The evil, gas-guzzling, terrorist-supporting SUV murdered an elderly woman as she trudged home from the CVS with her dinner of Friskies cat food, which she purchased in lieu of the medicine she couldn't afford.
(Excerpt) Read more at jewishworldreview.com ...
Same with Christians, as if being Christian implies some nefarious or malevolent agenda, though I'm not sure what that might be. "Christian billionaire Philip Anschutz, disgusted with America's coarsening culture, has decided to infect the world with goodness, optimism, hope, forgiveness and charity."
Watch it, mon, I almost developed sugar diabetes from reading that.:)
Well, gee, I think it is nice that a billionaire Christian would produce a good movie. I like this type of movie. I have not seen it, but I will be sure to go to see it.
Gee, maybe he'd read my screenplay. It doesn't have a dog, but it's very sweet.
After seeing Lord of the Flies tonight I found myself considering the fact that Jesus was a promoter of a more compassionate way of life.
Make more movies Phil.
I have never seen that movie.
I always thought Winn-Dixie was a grocery store...
http://www.winndixie.com/
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.